Daejangdong Investigation Team's 'Split Dinner' Restaurant Fined 1.5 Million Won... Attending Prosecutors Also Under Investigation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Regarding the so-called 'split dinner' controversy involving the investigation team probing lobbying and preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development case, the Seocho District Office in Seoul confirmed a violation of quarantine rules and has initiated administrative action procedures against the restaurant in question.

On the 23rd, according to legal circles and the district office, Seocho District Office completed an on-site investigation related to the controversy, confirmed the violation of quarantine rules, and is expected to send a prior notification letter to the restaurant.

The Seocho District Office plans to issue a final administrative disposition within one month after hearing the restaurant's side.

If the violation of quarantine rules is finally confirmed, according to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, the restaurant operator who violated the rules will be fined 1.5 million KRW and face a 10-day business suspension.

The Seocho District Office is also currently investigating the dinner attendees, and if quarantine rule violations are confirmed, a fine of 100,000 KRW per person will be imposed.

Earlier, on the 4th, sixteen members of the investigation team, including prosecutors and investigators, held a group dinner at a barbecue restaurant near the prosecution office after arresting Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management and a key figure in the Daejang-dong allegations, and lawyer Nam Wook, owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4. They avoided social distancing regulations by splitting into two groups of eight and sitting separately, a method known as 'jjogaegi' (split seating).